Container for Holding Contents and a Label Adapted for Mounting to a Display Surface of a Container for Holding Contents

ABSTRACT

A container for holding contents, wherein the container comprises a display surface comprising an information means for displaying one or more locations for filling the container with the contents. And a label adapted for mounting to the display surface of the container wherein the label comprises information data corresponding to the one or more locations for filling the container with the contents. In one embodiment, the container is a bottle, the contents is water, and the one or more locations include one or more water replenishing facilities.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to containers and in particular to a container for holding contents and a label adapted for mounting to a display surface of a container for holding contents.

The invention has been developed primarily for use in drinking containers and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The popularity of plastic and glass containers for use in, for example, the soft drinks and mineral water industry, has escalated in recent years. However, the limited means available for recycling the containers once empty has raised major concerns with respect to the environmental impact this waste will have on society. Oftentimes, containers are reused by filling them with drinking water, for example, from a public tap or fountain.

Many local towns, cities and large organizations are installing drinking water facilities for general public use. However, oftentimes, the public are unaware of these facilities and their location.

The present invention seeks to provide a container for holding contents and a label adapted for mounting to a display surface of a container for holding contents, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container for holding contents, the container comprising:

a display surface comprising an information means for displaying one or more locations for filling the container with the contents.

Advantageously, a user of the container is made aware of the one or more locations for refilling the container by virtue of the information means on the display surface of the container.

Advantageously, the one or more locations displayed on the information means correspond to one or more locations within a particular area such as a town, city or large organization.

Preferably, the information means comprises information data corresponding to the one or more locations.

Preferably, the information data is in the form of a bar code.

Advantageously, the user of the container can employ a reader such as a mobile phone to read the barcode to readily locate the one or more locations for refilling the container.

Preferably, the information data is in the form of a location map.

Advantageously, the user of the container can readily locate the one or more locations for refilling the container by virtue of the location map.

Preferably, the container is a bottle and the contents is a fluid.

Advantageously, the user can refill the bottle with a fluid such as a soft drink.

Preferably, the fluid is water and the one or more locations include one or more water replenishing facilities.

Advantageously, the user can refill the container with water from any one of the one or more water replenishing facilities.

Preferably, the information means is printed matter.

Advantageously, the printed matter includes written and/or image information corresponding to the one or more locations.

Preferably, the information means is an embossment or indentation.

Advantageously, the information data corresponding to the one or more locations is embossed (e.g. Braille) on or indented in the display surface of the container.

Preferably, the information means is a label.

Advantageously, the information data corresponding to the one or more locations is provided on a label mounted to the display surface of the container.

Preferably, the display surface is an external surface.

Preferably, the container further comprises a body portion for holding the contents and a generally hollow sheath portion adapted to receive a section of the body portion in use.

Preferably, the body portion comprises an engaging portion and the sheath portion comprises a complementary engaging portion for securing the sheath portion to the body portion in use.

Preferably, the information means is located between the section of the body portion and the sheath portion in use.

Preferably, at least a section of the sheath portion is transparent or translucent.

Preferably, the container further comprises a body portion for receiving the contents, at least a section of the body portion being manufactured from a food grade material.

Preferably, the food grade material is selected from a group of metals comprising: aluminium, and stainless steel.

Preferably, the display surface is manufactured from a magnetic metal.

Preferably, the information means is a magnetic label.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container, comprising:

a body portion for holding contents; and

a generally hollow sheath portion adapted to receive a section of the body portion, wherein at least a section of the sheath portion is transparent or translucent, the container being adapted to receive information means between the section of the body portion and the sheath portion in use.

Preferably, the information means comprises information data corresponding to one or more locations for filling the container with the contents.

Advantageously, a user of the container is made aware of the one or more locations for refilling the container by virtue of the information means on the display surface of the container.

Advantageously, the one or more locations displayed on the information means correspond to one or more locations within a particular area such as a town, city or large organization.

Preferably, the information data is in the form of a barcode.

Advantageously, the user of the container can employ a reader such as a mobile phone to read the barcode to readily locate the one or more locations for refilling the container.

Preferably, the information data is in the form of a location map.

Advantageously, the user of the container can readily locate the one or more locations for refilling the container by virtue of the location map.

Preferably, the container is a bottle and the contents is a fluid.

Advantageously, the user can refill the bottle with a fluid such as a soft drink.

Preferably, the fluid is water and the one or more locations include one or more water replenishing facilities.

Advantageously, the user can refill the container with water from any one of the one or more water replenishing facilities.

Preferably, the information means is printed matter.

Advantageously, the printed matter includes written and/or image information corresponding to the one or more locations.

Preferably, the information means is a label.

Advantageously, the information data corresponding to the one or more locations is provided on a label mounted to the display surface of the container.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container for holding contents, the container comprising:

-   -   a display surface comprising a location map.

Advantageously, the location map is part of the display surface of the container.

Preferably, the location map indicates one or more locations for filling the container with the contents.

Advantageously, a user of the container is made aware of the one or more locations for refilling the container by virtue of the location map on the display surface of the container.

Advantageously, the one or more locations correspond to one or more locations within a particular area such as a town, city or large organization.

Preferably, the container is a bottle and the contents is a fluid.

Advantageously, the user can refill the bottle with a fluid such as a soft drink.

Preferably, the fluid is water and the one or more locations include one or more water replenishing facilities.

Advantageously, the user can refill the container with water from any one of the one or more water replenishing facilities.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a label adapted for mounting to a display surface of a container for holding contents, the label comprising:

-   -   information data corresponding to one or more locations for         filling the container with the contents.

Advantageously, a user of the container is made aware of the one or more locations for refilling the container by virtue of the information data listed on the label.

Advantageously, the one or more locations displayed on the information means correspond to one or more locations within a particular area such as a town, city or large organization.

Preferably, the information data is in the form of a location map.

Advantageously, the user of the container can readily locate the one or more locations for refilling the container by virtue of the location map.

Preferably, the information data is in the form of a barcode.

Advantageously, the user of the container can employ a reader such as a mobile phone to read the barcode to readily locate the one or more locations for refilling the container.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a label adapted for mounting to a display surface of a container for holding contents, the label comprising:

-   -   a location map indicating one or more locations for filling the         container with the contents.

Advantageously, a user of the container is made aware of the one or more locations for refilling the container by virtue of the location map displayed on the label.

Advantageously, the one or more locations correspond to one or more locations within a particular area such as a town, city or large organization.

Preferably, the label comprises adhesive means for adhering the label to the display surface of the container.

Preferably, the label is shaped to conform to the shape of the display surface of the container.

Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a container for holding contents in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the container comprising an external surface adapted for receiving an information means for identifying a location for filling the container with the contents; and

FIG. 2 shows front views of a container for holding contents in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

As shown in FIG. 1, there is provided a container 10 for holding contents (not shown) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The container 10 may be any type of container useful for holding contents. In this embodiment, the container 10 is a bottle, more particularly, a reusable bottle, and the contents is a fluid such as water or a soft drink. The container 10 is manufactured from a food grade material such as, for example, a plastic, glass, aluminium, or stainless steel.

The container 10 comprises a display surface to which an information means is located for displaying three locations 40 a, 40 b, and 40 c for filling the container 10 with the contents. In the case where the fluid is water, it will be appreciated that the three locations 40 a, 40 b, 40 c includes water replenishing facilities (not shown) such as public drinking fountains, refilling stations, public toilets with drinking water facilities, and large organizations that have drinking water facilities including, but not limited to, any one of the following: universities, colleges, sports and recreational facilities, libraries, stores, amusement parks, exhibitions, public transport hubs. It will be appreciated that in some cases, the containers 10 may be provided by the particular organizations described above, to distribute among users. For example, where the organization is a university, the containers 10 may be distributed to freshmen so that they can familiarize themselves not only with the campus, but also with the locations of the water replenishing facilities around the campus. By providing the locations 40 a, 40 b, 40 c of the water replenishing facilities, it will be appreciated that this will encourage users to retain their container 10 for refilling, as opposed to discarding the container 10 and purchasing another, thereby having a positive environmental impact.

In this embodiment, the display surface is an external surface 20 of a body of the container 10 as being the most suitable surface of the container 10 to have the information means due to the relative size of the area for display purposes as compared to, for example, a neck or base of the container 10. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the neck, base or even a cap (shown in dashed outline) of the container 10 may comprise the information means.

It will be appreciated that the information means may take any suitable form for displaying the locations 40 a, 40 b, and 40 c. In this embodiment, the information means is a label 30 mounted to the external surface 20 of the container 10. The label 30 is a self adhesive label having an adhesive layer on the back of the label 30 for adhering to the external surface 20 of the container 10. In other embodiments, it will be appreciated that the label 30 may be adapted for mounting to the external surface 20 by, for example, heat bonding, or by firstly applying an adhesive such as a glue (not shown) to the back of the label 30 and then the label 30 being subsequently applied to the external surface 20 of the container 10. Alternatively, the glue may be applied directly to the external surface 20 of the container 10 and the label 30 then mounted thereto. The label 30 comprises information data corresponding to the three locations 40 a, 40 b, and 40 c.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information data is in the form of a location map, more particularly, a subway map displaying several subways stations, of which three of the stations are shown with an icon (shown as an upturned container with drops of fluid) indicating one of the three locations 40 a, 40 b, 40 c where the container 10 can be refilled. It will be appreciated that the number of locations displayed on the label 30 is not limited to just three locations 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, but may include several locations. This would be particularly relevant in the case where, for example, the information data is in the form of a location map of a particular town, city or large organization.

In other embodiments, the information means may take the form of printed matter (not shown), an embossment (not shown) or an indentation (not shown). In the case of the printed matter, this may include information data in the form of written text and/or image information indicating the locations 40 a, 40 b, and 40 c. It will be appreciated that the written and/or image information may be printed directly onto the external surface 20 of the container 10 using any suitable means of printing, including, but not limited to, any one of the following printing methods: inkjet printing, screen printing, or pad printing. In the case of the embossment, it will be appreciated that this will be useful where the information data needs to be presented in, for example, Braille, to provide visually impaired users the means to locate the locations 40 a, 40 b, and 40 c for refilling the container 10. In the case of plastic containers, such containers 10 may be manufactured by blow molding (or forming), extrusion blow molding, stretch blow molding, or injection molding, where the mold is suitably modified to provide the necessary indentation or embossment in the external surface 20 of the plastic container 10 in the form of, for example, a location map indicating the three locations 40 a, 40 b, 40 c for filing the container 10 with the contents. In the case of glass containers, such containers 10 may be manufactured by the forming process, where the mold is suitably modified to provide the necessary embossment or indentation in the external surface 20 of the glass container 10 in the form of, for example, a location map indicating the three locations 40 a, 40 b, 40 c for filing the container 10 with the contents. In the case of metal containers, such as, for example, aluminium containers 10, such containers may be manufactured by the impact extrusion process, where the die is suitably modified to provide the necessary embossment or indentation in the external surface 20 of the aluminium container 10 in the form of, for example, a location map indicating the three locations 40 a, 40 b, 40 c for filing the container 10 with the contents.

In other embodiments, it will be appreciated that the information data may take any suitable form for presenting information. For example, the information data may be in the form of a barcode such as a two dimensional barcode like the QR (Quick Response) (not shown) or Data Matrix (not shown) bar codes. In use, the user of the container 10 can employ a dedicated reader (not shown) of these two-dimensional barcodes such as a mobile phone equipped with a camera and suitable software to scan the barcode to readily locate a suitable location for refilling the container 10. For example, the information data in the barcode once read by the mobile phone may redirect the user to a suitable webpage in the mobile phone's browser that provides details on the locations 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, such as for example, a map, an address, a telephone number.

In other embodiments, it will be appreciated that the container 10 is not limited to being a bottle, and the fluid is not limited to being water or a soft drink. For example, the container may be a jerry can (not shown) and the fluid may be a fuel (not shown). Alternatively, the container may be a cylinder (not shown) and the fluid may be a gas such as propane gas (not shown). In both cases, the location for filling the container will be a filling station. In other embodiments, the container may be a cool box (not shown), and the contents may be ice (not shown).

In other embodiments, at least the display surface of the container 10 and a portion of the label (not shown) are of opposite magnetic poles to enable the label to stick to the magnetic display surface. In one example, the display surface is a magnetic metal plate that is mounted to the external surface 20 of the container 10. In another example, the container itself is manufactured from a magnetic food grade metal such as, for example, ferritic or martensitic stainless steel.

In other embodiments, the label (not shown) may comprise information means on the front and back of the label. In this arrangement, when the label is adhered to the external surface of a transparent or translucent container (not shown) by virtue of an adhesive coating on the back of the label, the information data on the back of the label is visible through the wall of the container, particularly when the container is empty. It will be appreciated that in the case where the contents of the container is coloured, such as, for example, a cola beverage, or a coffee beverage, then the information data on the back of the label would only be visible when some or all of the beverage had been removed from the container.

In other embodiments, the container 10 is not limited to being manufactured from a food grade metal such as aluminium or stainless steel, but may be manufactured from another metal that have been coated with a food grade coating such as, for example, an enamel coating.

As shown in FIG. 2( i), there is provided a container 100 for holding contents (not shown) according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The container 100 comprises a hollow body portion 110 and a sheath portion 120.

The hollow body portion 110 comprises a top portion 112 and an opposing bottom portion 114. The bottom portion 114 is generally cylindrical in shape and defines an enclosure for holding the contents therein in use. The top portion 112 comprises a neck portion 115 that defines an opening to the enclosure. The opening is configured to receive a cap (shown in dashed outline) to seal the container 100 in use. Extending downwardly from the neck portion 115 is a generally flared portion 117 having a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the cylindrical bottom portion 114. The flared portion 117 comprises an internally threaded portion (not shown).

The sheath portion 120 is generally cylindrical in shape and comprises a base portion 124 and a wall portion 125 that extends upwardly from the base portion 124 to terminate at a neck portion 128 to define an opening. The opening is of a diameter wide enough to receive the bottom portion 114 of the body portion 110 substantially therethrough in use. The neck portion 128 of the sheath portion 120 comprises an externally threaded portion (not shown) that is complementary to the internally threaded flared portion 117 of the top portion 112 to allow the body portion 110 to be removably mounted to the sheath portion 120 in use. The sheath portion 120 is manufactured from a transparent or translucent material such as, for example, polycarbonate (PC) or poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA).The hollow sheath portion 120 is adapted to receive the bottom portion 114 of the body portion 110 therein in use.

In this embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 2( ii), the information means is in the form of a label 130 (shown in dashed outline) that can be located within the sheath portion 120 before mounting the sheath portion 120 to the body portion 110. In this arrangement, the label 130 is located substantially between the bottom portion 114 of the body portion 110 and an inner surface of the sheath portion 120. The information data printed on the label 130 is therefore visible through the transparent wall portion 125 of the sheath portion 120.

In one embodiment, the label 130 comprises no adhesive, thereby making the label 130 easier to substitute with another label (not shown) according to the user's next location.

In other embodiments, the label 130 is a self-adhesive label that can be adhered to the inner surface of the sheath portion 120 or an external surface 118 of the bottom portion 114 depending on which surface of the label 130 the adhesive has been applied.

The label 130 may be provided by the particular organization advertising the locations of the water replenishing facilities, or by other organizations such as, for example, public libraries, or tourist information centres. Such labels 130 may be provided as handouts or printed from an associated website.

In other embodiments, the sheath portion 120 is not limited to being entirely manufactured from a transparent or translucent material as described above. For example, only a portion of the sheath portion (not shown) may be transparent or translucent. It will be appreciated that the transparent or translucent portion is large enough to enable a user to adequately view all of the information data displayed on the label 130.

In other embodiments, the sheath portion 120 and the body portion 110 are not limited to being removably mounted by screw-threaded engagement as described above, but may instead be removably mounted by, for example, a snap-lock fitting (not shown) engagement.

In other embodiments, the information means such as the label 30, 130, is shaped to conform to the shape of the display surface of the corresponding container 10, 100. This is particularly relevant in embodiments in which the label 30, 130 is printed on thick paper, card, or another material that has reduced flexibility.

Interpretation Embodiments

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Specific Details

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Terminology

In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as “forward”, “rearward”, “radially”, “peripherally”, “upwardly”, “downwardly”, and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

Comprising and Including

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

Scone of Invention

Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the soft drinks industry. 

1-36. (canceled)
 37. A container for holding contents, the container comprising: a display surface comprising an information means for displaying one or more locations for filling the container with the contents, the information means comprising information data in the form of a location map corresponding to the one or more locations.
 38. The container according to claim 37, wherein the container is a bottle and the contents is a fluid.
 39. The container according to claim 38, wherein the fluid is water and the one or more locations include one or more water replenishing facilities.
 40. The container according to claim 37, wherein the information means is printed matter.
 41. The container according to claim 37, wherein the information means is an embossment or an indentation.
 42. The container according to claim 37, wherein the display surface is an external surface.
 43. The container according to claim 37, further comprising a body portion for receiving the contents and a generally hollow sheath portion adapted to receive a section of the body portion in use.
 44. The container according to claim 43, wherein the body portion comprises an engaging portion and the sheath portion comprises a complementary engaging portion for securing the sheath portion to the body portion in use.
 45. The container according to claim 43, wherein the information means is located between the section of the body portion and the sheath portion in use.
 46. The container according to claim 43, wherein the sheath portion has at least a section that is transparent or translucent.
 47. The container according to claim 46, further comprising a body portion for receiving the contents, the body portion having at least a section thereof being manufactured from a food grade material.
 48. The container according to claim 47, wherein the food grade material is selected from at least one of a group of metals comprising aluminum and stainless steel.
 49. The container according to claim 48, wherein the information means is a magnetic label.
 50. A container, comprising: a body portion for holding contents; and a generally hollow sheath portion adapted to receive a section of the body portion, wherein the sheath portion has at least a section that is transparent or translucent, the container being adapted to receive information means between the section of the body portion and the sheath portion in use, the information means comprising information data in the form of a location map corresponding to one or more locations for filling the container with the contents.
 51. The container according to claim 50, wherein the container is a bottle and the contents is a fluid.
 52. The container according to claim 51, wherein the fluid is water and the one or more locations include one or more water replenishing facilities.
 53. The container according to claim 50, wherein the information means is a label.
 54. A label adapted for mounting to a display surface of a container for holding contents, the label comprising: information data corresponding to one or more locations for filling the container with the contents, the information data being in the form of a location map; and indicating one or more locations for filling the container with the contents.
 55. The label according to claim 54, wherein the label comprises adhesive means for adhering the label to the display surface of the container.
 56. The label according to claim 54, wherein the label is shaped to conform to the shape of the display surface of the container. 